Segmented Evaporative Heat Exchange for Water-Efficient Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchange systems face challenges in efficiently cooling process fluids when ambient air temperature exceeds the desired cooling temperature, particularly in conserving water used for wetting evaporative means and optimizing energy and water usage.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange apparatus with multiple evaporative portions that can be selectively and independently supplied with evaporative liquid based on the temperature of the process fluid, allowing for efficient humidification of air to reach the wet bulb temperature, thereby reducing water consumption and energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If evaporative liquid is supplied to all evaporative portions continuously, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporative means are divided into multiple independent evaporative portions (first evaporative body, second evaporative body, etc.), each capable of being supplied with evaporative liquid independently. This segmentation allows selective activation of only the portions needed to achieve the desired cooling temperature, reducing overall water consumption while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which evaporative portions receive evaporative liquid based on real-time monitoring of the process fluid temperature. The control means activates or deactivates supply to specific portions as needed, creating a dynamic response that optimizes water usage according to actual cooling requirements rather than continuous supply.
Solution Approach 3:
The system changes the operational parameters of the evaporative portions by selectively controlling the supply of evaporative liquid to different bodies based on temperature conditions. When the process fluid temperature indicates sufficient cooling, the system reduces or stops supply to certain portions, effectively changing the operational state to conserve water.
2Loss of substance
If multiple evaporative portions are used with selective supply, then water consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control means operates based on feedback from temperature sensors that monitor the process fluid temperature. This feedback mechanism automatically determines when and which evaporative portions need evaporative liquid supply, simplifying the control logic to a straightforward temperature-based decision system that reduces complexity despite multiple portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means serves multiple functions: it monitors temperature, determines cooling requirements, and controls evaporative liquid supply to multiple different evaporative portions. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be multiple separate control systems into a single unified controller, reducing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables a cost-effective and energy-efficient cooling process by minimizing water usage and optimizing the operation of evaporative means, ensuring effective cooling even when ambient air temperature is higher than the desired cooling temperature.
Implementation Method 1
at least one evaporative body is used (in general a body made of cellulose material, in particular in the shape of a panel) that is placed in the flow of air before the heat exchanger and is supplied with an evaporative liquid (water) in order to humidify and cool the air, in particular in order to bring the ambient air to the wet bulb temperature
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger in which a process fluid to be cooled circulates, ventilation means for generating a flow of cooling gas that passes through the exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A heat exchange apparatus and method are disclosed, in which a process fluid to be cooled circulates in tube means of a heat exchanger, a flow of cooling gas generated by ventilation means is first humidified passing through the evaporative means and then passes through the tube means, an evaporative liquid wets the evaporative means to humidify the flow, the evaporative means comprises several evaporative portions that are distinct from each other, each of which is traversed by a respective fraction of the flow of cooling gas, the evaporative liquid is supplied selectively and independently to the various evaporative portions according to the temperature of the process fluid that exits the tube means.